Plans have been announced for NZ$300m (£168m) of infrastructure to unlock development of 10,500 new homes in the New Zealand city of Auckland.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff and New Zealand government finance minister Steven Joyce jointly announced the new infrastructure investment to bring forward the construction of the homes in the Whenuapai and Redhills areas.

The new funding, which is being provided through the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), will unlock new housing development in Auckland's north-west via investment in transport, wastewater and stormwater projects earmarked by the city council as priority, fast-track initiatives.

Goff said: “This funding will fast-track priority new infrastructure projects, turning zoned land into 10,500 new homes, and creating new Auckland communities.”

He added that said that Auckland's HIF bid focused on a small number of highly development ready areas where funding would accelerate priority projects and unlock housing growth quickly.

In addition to wastewater and stormwater improvements, the $300 million will fund improvements to transport infrastructure including road extensions and realignment of Trig Road together with a new bridge crossing to West harbour ferry terminal.

"Not only are we accelerating housing delivery, we are creating new centres for employment and increased accessibility across the Auckland region with improvements to Auckland's transport system,” he added.